RACE REPORT: Hinson lake 24-Hour Ultra-marathon

Submitted by Arthur Bennett

If you’re like me, you can appreciate “sensible”. It’s a good quality and, by definition, is all about stability and security. But, sensible eventually rubs on you, chafes against you like a singlet on a cold day. That had happened to me. I was getting tired of sensible.

So, back in the spring, my friend (and the toughest guy I know) Frank Lilley talked me into joining him in this “ultra-marathon” thingy held each year in Rockingham. The concept was quite simple: cover as much distance as you can – or choose to – in 24 hours on a 1.52-mile loop. I was immediately intrigued by the notion of running for 24-hours (not that I could ever run 24-hours for any reason … ever). Still, the unusual flavor of the idea appealed to me and I said “yes”. I even went home and registered.

As the date drew near and the Ghilonis, the Shingletons, Margaret Bentley, Elizabeth Fuson, and Alane Floyd also signed up, I grew steadily more excited about this edgy adventure and the sweet diversion from “normal” life. Better still, it didn’t quite fit the definition of “sensible”. I’m fairly sure Ward Cleaver would have shaken his head.

Pre-race Friday night was about heat and humidity … and Frank’s tent … and heat and humidity… and insomnia … and 2-hours’ sleep. Just the thing before an ultra ! The night culminated with my surreal 5AM pee on the edge of the woods, in the briers, under low-hanging clouds. But, it was all just fine. There was a race to do… an ultra to do!

Saturday morning began with an assemblage of over two-hundred eager participants at the start, each surely ready for a day of personal challenge. The race got under way with a slow walk, then a slow trot, and settled into a procession of trees, wooden bridges, delicious junk food, and exhaustion. I also remember tattoos, all kinds of tattoos, tattoos everywhere … and that’s to not even mention Eric Ghiloni. In one respect, Saturday was a blur of tats.

Another blur that day was human. I later learned the blur’s name was “Mike Morton” and I saw him stop exactly one time: to pee in the woods (he even did that quickly). The rest of the time, he was running (not trotting ,…running) … like he had stolen something.

My favorite part of the weekend, however, was simply being a part of a great group of friends sharing a passion and getting to know a larger group of friends. Though none of us was Mike Morton, we all won that day, we all covered great distances, and we all were rewarded with that sense of accomplishment only exhaustion can bring…and there’s nothing more sensible than that.

Finally, I offer a huge “Thanks” to Frank Lilley, who personified toughness, determination, and persistence while completing 27.36 miles…on a torn hip labrum. I am amazed, but not surprised.

RACE RESULTS: Hinson Lake 24-Hour

These results are a bit behind, but I was waiting for them to be posted online. As most of you know the RMEC took a small army to the Hinson Lake 24 hour run two weekends ago. This unique ultra allows runners to loop Hinson Lake for up to 24 hours. The event is measured based on your distance, not by time.

Most RMECers set a new personal best for the miles they logged. Here are the results:

• 41.04 - Elizabeth Fuson
• 34.96 - Amber Shingleton
• 33.44 - Jon Shingleton
• 31.92 - Arthur Bennett
• 30.40 - Eric Ghiloni
• 27.36 - Margaret Bentley
• 27.36 - Frank Lilley
• 18.24 - Alane Floyd
• 18.24 - Brandie Ghiloni

Congrats everyone on pushing beyond your limits. Big thanks to Frank for all of the encouragement to everyone involved.  Here is Frank's race report from the event.

RUN RSVP: Saturday 10/01 @ Teeter

Welcome to Fall!  Saturday is going to be a perfect day for a long run.  The OBX schedule calls for a 6 mile (half) and 12 mile (full) run.  The plan has this as a recovery week, but if you are like me you need to log extra miles.  Based on that, I went simple and posted the triple-loop route.  This is the easiest to adjust and keeps everyone close to fluids.

• Where: Saturday, 7:00 am @ Harris Teeter
• Supported: Yes
• Weather: Forecast
• Routes:  6.67 Miles (3x = 20 miler)

I put a 7:00 am start time because heat is not a worry, and this will allow for more daylight.  I know many of you will start earlier (myself included).  If you do, try to get back by the Teeter so we can all leave at 7:00 am.

We have run out of fluids a few times recently.  PLEASE COMMENT IF YOU ARE COMING.  Even in cooler weather, hydration is still critical.

Cool/Cold Weather Running

This is a repeat for many of you, but new information to some of our new members.  Never hurts to hear it again.  The weather is going to turn cool this weekend (finally).  The low of Saturday is 42F, and the high is only 66F.  This means two things: 1) it is easier to run in the afternoon, and 2) if you run in the morning you need to be prepared for the temperature change.

Here are some tips:

• Wear Layers - You can always take extra clothing off as you warm up. If you however start with just your base layer and a heavy jacket, you have no "middle ground". You are likely too hot or too cold. If you have layers, you can peal them off little by little.
• Be Technical - Be sure to keep technical clothing as your bottom layer. It is fine to throw an old cotton t-shirt on as a middle or top layer, or a sweatshirt. Just keep some wicking clothing on as a base layer. This will pull the sweat away from your body.
• Head and Hands - Do not forget to keep your head and hands warm. If you don't have one, go buy a cheap stocking hat. An ear warmer is fine too, but with temps in the 20s and 30s you will want to hold in the heat. As for gloves, go cheap. My recommendation is going to the kids department in Target. You can buy a two pack of kids gloves for $1.49. They are super stretchy, and you can put on both pair at once. If your hands get hot, peal off a single pair. These gloves fit my hands in case you are wondering how stretchy they are.
• Band aides and Body Glide - Don't forget this! Guys, protect your chest. Cold weather can make you chafe badly (things get perky). You do not want to finish your run with a bloody shirt. Also when you are not sweating, your clothing does not have a layer of moisture to glide against. This can mean chafed thighs, legs, etc.
• Get Warm - When you finish your run get warm! Have something in your car to put on. Once you stop running, your body will very quickly get a chill. Don't take a chance at getting sick. You may even need to take of wet clothes and replace with something dry.

Most of these tips really apply to much colder temperatures, but you can start planning now for what is ahead.

RUN RSVP: Saturday 9/24 @ Teeter

Keeping with the OBX schedule we posted before, this is a recovery week.  I realize most of you are on your own plans, so adjust the distance to meet your needs.  An 8 mile and 13 mile route is posted below.  

• Where: Saturday, 6:30 am @ Harris Teeter
• Supported: Yes
• Weather: Forecast
• Routes:  8 Miles - 13 Miles

As always, review the routes.  the 13 miler is not a normal route for us and does not hit fluids until Mile 7.  I will put out fluids unless someone else speaks up.  Good luck to the Hinson Lake crowd this weekend.

Hinson Lake 24 Hour

The RMEC will be well represented this weekend at the 6th Annual Hinson Lake 24 Hour Ultra Classic.  This event is pretty simple to understand, but takes determination to do well.  The goal?  Simple. . . run as many miles as you can in a 24-hour period while circling Hinson Lake on a 1.52 mile loop.

Good luck to Frank, Arthur, Margaret, Amber, Jon, Eric, Brandie, Alane, and Elizabeth.  If I get any updated, I will share them on the RMEC Facebook page.

RUN RSVP: Saturday @ 6:30 from Teeter

How could you not love this weather!  As Arthur said, it feels "marathony" out there right now.  Looks like it could be rainy, but don't let that stop you.  Keep your training going in the right direction.   Keeping with the OBX schedule we posted before, we will have a 16 mile and a 7 mile route tomorrow.  

• Where: Saturday, 6:00 am @ Harris Teeter
• Supported: Yes
• Weather: Forecast
• Routes:  7 Miles and 16 Miles

Please note, we are now starting at 6:30 am, so you get an extra 30 minutes of sleep.   As always, review the routes.  I am not able to run tomorrow, but can put out fluids at my house.  There is also water fountains by City Lake and the tennis courts.  If anyone else can put out fluids, speak up.  Thanks!

Good look to Ron and John this weekend!